Riyad Mahrez Hands In Transfer Request To Force Move

Transfer deadline day on Wednesday could be one of the biggest January deadline days we’ve seen and Riyad Mahrez could be one of the biggest movers after reportedly handing in a transfer request amidst interest from Manchester City.

What is it with Pep Guardiola and waiting for transfer deadline day to make a big money move for a winger? Back in August he spent all summer flirting with Alexis Sanchez to only make a last minute £60 million bid for the then Arsenal star.

The Gunners pulled the plug on the deal through fear of not getting a replacement. Guardiola again missed out on Sanchez in January, with the Chilean moving to Old Trafford instead.

City didn’t try to sign anyone else on the wings or upfront and have instead settled for just signing defender Aymeric Laporte, that is until now.

Reports suggest that the Premier League leaders have made a £60 million bid for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez as cover for the injured Leroy Sane. Now the player has apparently made his intentions clear by handing in a transfer request.

It’s not exactly the first time that Mahrez has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium. He was expected to leave the summer after they won the Premier League and again last summer when Barcelona were linked with him.

Earlier in this window Liverpool were thought to have him on their list of potential Coutinho replacements but nothing materialised.

Guardiola is said to be interested in the Algerian because of an injury to Leroy Sane. Whether he gets his man remains to be seen, especially as the Foxes won’t have long to replace their best player.